Body of Evidence

I call my knee sister the artist in the family. I call her that, because she consciously creates pieces of artwork. But in reality, art can be created from an environment by anyone. A visit to the National Museum of African Art , and its exhibit, Body of Evidence, reminds me of what I view as simply beautiful artwork, can at times be renditions of the human spirits to never forget a horrible period.

A quick cursor of the artwork with the eyes, no reading of the brief bio, reveals lovely images of paintings, murals, prints, video, and the ears pleasing sounds, you smile. But if you linger, take a closer look and listen to the oral history of each artist piece, the artwork spears and pierces the whole body, into an awakening beyond what you may see on the sterile walls to what is really hanging on the walls. Or maybe even what you want to see rather what the artist is telling you.

The docent patiently guides the eyes and ears through pieces with unforgettable memories with such quiet gentle grace. The docent connects your heart to each piece as you witness the human ability artistically framed in charming visuals and sounds triumph over the inhumane conditions put upon a people through no fault of their own. The charm of the artwork becomes evidences of the physical presence of apartheid horrible period made simply palatable by each artist, as you more from one frame to another. The position of each piece tells the story of the ugliness of human oppression.

The Body of Evidence becomes obvious. The frames are not just pretty hangings, but are words that perpetrators don't want to hear, or of the things that the victim wants the perpertrators to remembers. The artwork reminds us to both hear and remember if true reconciliation is to happen as a remedy for the victims and the perpetrators.